If Bellator 108′s co-main event was to determine Russia’s best heavyweight, Vitaly Minakov is the guy.

Minakov stunned his former training partner, Alexander Volkov, early in their title bout to earn a first-round TKO and take home the Bellator heavyweight championship.

An uppercut from Minakov sent Volkov to the canvas, and after a brief stint of punches overhead, referee Dan Miragliotta intervened at the 2:57 mark of the first frame.

Minakov, who extends his undefeated streak to 13 bouts, moves on to defend his title against Season 9 heavyweight tourney winner and UFC vet Cheick Kongo.

“He likes to knock out his opponents, and I like to knock out my opponents,” Minakov said afterward via translator. “We’ll see who does it better.”

The taller Volkov hoped to use his range to set up striking combinations, but Minakov (13-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) instantly pushed him into the cage and landed a series of hard elbows inside. A takedown followed, though a lack of action prompted a standup from Miragliotta.

Volkov (19-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA), who before the fight declared that the fight’s winner would be Russia’s best, was circling away from Minakov when he was floored by an uppercut. Minakov was preparing to clear Volkov’s legs when the bout was waved off.

A 10-fight streak comes to an end for Volkov, who won the Season 7 heavyweight tournament to secure the promotion’s vacant title.
Vitaly Minakov def. Alexander Volkov via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:57